Remove Table Formatting in Excel Fast 💡

To remove table formatting in Excel, simply convert the table back to a normal range. This strips away the colors, filters, and styles while preserving your data. 🎯 You can do this in just a few clicks—or faster—with keyboard shortcuts on Windows, macOS, and Ubuntu. Let’s walk you through every option step by step.

🧹 What Happens When You Remove Table Formatting?

When you remove a table’s formatting, you’re essentially turning it back into a standard data range. Here’s what changes:

✅ Formatting (colors, banded rows, filters) is removed
✅ Table name and structured references are disabled
❌ Formulas and cell content are not deleted
✅ You regain full control of standard cell references

🧭 How to Remove Table Formatting in Excel

Here’s the quickest way:

Step-by-Step (All Versions):

Click anywhere inside the table
Go to the Table Design (or Design) tab
Click Convert to Range
Confirm when prompted

That’s it! 🎉 Your data is now a plain range.

🔥 Keyboard Shortcuts to Remove Table Formatting

Platform	Shortcut/Steps
Windows	`Alt + J + T`, then `R` → Confirm
macOS	`Cmd + Shift + T` to go to Table tab, then use arrow keys to select “Convert to Range”
Ubuntu (LibreOffice Calc)	`Ctrl + F12` to insert table → Right-click table → Select “Release Format” or manually adjust styles

💡 Note: Excel shortcuts may vary slightly based on language/region settings and Excel version.

✏️ Alternative Method: Clear Formatting Only

If you want to keep the table but remove just the formatting (colors, fonts, borders), follow these steps:

Select the whole table
Go to the Home tab
Click the Clear button (eraser icon)
Select Clear Formats

🔑 Windows Shortcut: Alt + H + E + F
🔑 macOS Shortcut: Cmd + Shift + Z (or use Clear on Home tab manually)
🔑 Ubuntu Shortcut: Ctrl + M (LibreOffice)

🧠 Bonus: Convert to Range Without Losing Data

Many users worry that removing formatting may delete formulas or table data. The good news?

✅ Data stays intact
✅ Formulas still work
❌ No auto-expanding table behavior

Your structured table references (=Table1[Sales]) will now become standard range references (=B2:B10), which can simplify formulas if you prefer working manually.

⚙️ Use Case: Why Remove Table Formatting?

Cleaning up reports before exporting 📤
Simplifying templates for sharing 📄
Avoiding structured reference confusion 🧠
Creating a blank canvas for new designs 🎨

🚨 Common Mistakes to Avoid

Clicking “Delete” instead of “Convert to Range”—this removes all your data 😱
Assuming “Clear Formats” converts the table—it doesn’t
Not saving before making changes—undoing table removal isn’t always easy

Tip: Always save a backup before removing structure from big datasets.

✅ Table: Quick Guide to Remove Table Formatting

Task	Windows	macOS	Ubuntu/Linux
Convert to range	`Alt + J + T`, `R`	Use Table Tab + arrows	Right-click > Release Format
Clear formats only	`Alt + H + E + F`	`Cmd + Shift + Z`	`Ctrl + M`
Convert table shortcut	`Ctrl + T` to create	`Cmd + T`	`Ctrl + F12`

FAQs

Does removing table formatting delete my formulas?
No. It only removes the style and structured references. Your formulas stay intact.

What’s the difference between “Clear Formats” and “Convert to Range”?
“Clear Formats” removes visual styling but keeps table functionality. “Convert to Range” removes all table features.

Can I undo the change if I remove table formatting?
Yes, use Ctrl + Z (or Cmd + Z) right after the change. But save your file first for safety.

Will my filters disappear too?
Yes. Filters are part of the table feature. Once removed, they’re gone unless you add them back manually via Data > Filter.

Can I reapply the same formatting later?
Yes. Just select your range and use “Format as Table” from the Home tab again.

Is there a shortcut for “Convert to Range” on macOS?
No direct key combo, but Cmd + Shift + T opens the Table menu. Use arrow keys to reach “Convert to Range.”

Final Thoughts on Removing Table Formatting in Excel

Removing table formatting in Excel is a small step that can vastly improve your workflow—especially when dealing with shared files, reports, or templates. 💼

Whether you’re decluttering your sheet or preparing clean data for analysis, converting tables to ranges or clearing formats gives you full control over your layout.

So next time your sheet looks a bit too flashy or structured—strip it down and start fresh! 🧽🧾

Complete List of Windows Keyboard Shortcuts

If you need help for Windows, you can find a whole list of all keyboard shortcuts here.

https://keyboard-shortcuts.org/

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